New chromosomal regions with high-level amplifications in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and pharynx, identified by comparative genomic hybridization

Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck generally exhibit complex kar yotypes. To gain better knowledge of the changes in the subgroup of larynge al and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, chromosomal gains and losses wer e investigated in 42 predominantly late-stage tumours, using comparative ge nomic hybridization, On average, 11.2 gains and 6.8 losses were found. Gain s were detected in high frequencies at 1q, 3q, 5p, 7q, 8q, 11q13, 17q, and 18p, and losses at 3p, 4p, 5q, 11qter, and 18q, Neither the number nor the type of abnormalities, nor the occurrence of specific chromosome changes, w as found to be related to DNA ploidy, tumour stage, or degree of differenti ation. Apart from tow-level gains, many high-level amplifications were iden tified, in particular 3q24-qter (15 cases). Other regions recurrently invol ved were 11q13 (7 cases), 18p (5 cases), 18q11.2 (4 cases), and 8q23-24 and 11q14-22 (3 cases). Many of these amplified regions have not been reported before. Over half of all loci harbour genes coding for growth factors and growth factor receptors, suggesting an important role for such genes in squ amous cell tumourigenesis and in the progression of late-stage tumours, Cop yright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.